Luanda — The National Optimist Sailing Team, in the ambit of the participation in the African Championship to be held from 24 September to 1 October in the South African city of Cape Town, will be composed of five sailors.

The sailors are Henrique António, Carlos Jamba, Waldir Francisco, Wilson Camota e Vitória Camota.

The national coach, Rui Albuquerque, has told ANGOP that the objective of the squad is to retain the title won in 2019, in Seychelles.

According to the source, the first training sessions were held at the Luanda Bay sea to improve the boat lubricity and to master the manoeuvring of the boat in a low-wind situation.

The idea is to enable the athletes, in this climate of low wind, to get the most out of the boat and thus work on turning and starting within the refereeing rules.

Rui Albuquerque said that the final phase of the work will be carried out on Luanda Island sea.

Besides Angola, Algeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Seychelles are confirmed for the event. Brazil, Australia and Argentina will be represented as guests.

Angola were the African champions in 2019 in the female individual category with the athletes Aline Lourenço and Joana Lourenço.

In the same race in male category, the national team were the vice champions with the athletes Româncio, gold medal, Armindo Sousa, silver medal and Osvaldo da Gama, bronze medal.